Rabbitohs to get three back for Manly

Wounded South Sydney could be boosted by the return of two of the Burgess brothers, Sam and Thomas close to returning for next week’s NRL match against Manly.

A Rabbitohs side also missing Adam Reynolds, John Sutton and Alex Johnston crashed to a second straight defeat when they were pummelled 42-12 by Canterbury in their Good Friday fizzler.

However some good news is on the horizon for coach Michael Maguire with dual-international Sam Burgess seemingly on the mend from the serious neck injury he suffered in last week’s loss to St George Illawarra.

“He’ll get physio through the week and he’ll go from there. It’ll probably be a late call on him.”

There were pre-game suggestions that Sam would make his own Easter resurrection and play against the Bulldogs, however Thomas said a return that quick would’ve been “stupid”.

He urged the club to remain vigilant with his brother’s health.

“It would’ve been stupid if he played. He only got out of hospital this week,” he said.

“He’ll be itching to play, (but) serious things like necks and shoulders, you’ve got to be careful with that. It’s a long season. We want him for the rest of the year as well.”

Thomas himself however is almost certain to make his first appearance of the season after recovering from the ankle injury he suffered in a trial against Gold Coast in February.

The 23-year-old revealed he was close to facing a longer stint on the sidelines, having strained two of the three ligaments in his ankle.

“If all of them go, you’ve got to have an operation. So thankfully it was just two of the three and I didn’t have to have the operation,” he said.

“It’s feeling good now. I’m back in full training.

“The physios and all medical staff are just conscious – there’s been a lot of cases where people rush it back and re-do it straightaway. Not being the lightest bloke out there, we just figured it’d probably be the best just to wait that extra week.”

Johnston was a late scratching against the Bulldogs after straining his calf but is also considered a strong chance to return for the Sea Eagles.

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